Delta's direct NYC flights, PBS special, and new office: Malta's US tourism push takes shape
Delta will fly non-stop from JFK to Malta from summer 2026. A PBS special and a new MTA office in New York complete a landmark week for Malta's US strategy.
The Malta Tourism Authority has wrapped a week of three simultaneous developments aimed squarely at the US market. Delta Airlines will launch the first non-stop flights between New York's JFK and Malta in summer 2026.
The route dramatically improves connectivity for a market that MTA has courted for over a decade. A new MTA office in New York and the US premiere of a PBS travel special on Malta complete the push.
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg called the Delta announcement "a landmark for the Maltese Islands and for the long-standing ties between Malta and the U.S." He said it strengthens tourism potential in North America and enables more economic collaborations.
MTA CEO Carlo Micallef said the direct flight means Malta is "no longer hidden to the American travel market." He noted that demand from high-end luxury travellers and young independent travellers has grown enormously since MTA re-established its North American presence 11 years ago.
The new MTA office sits within Malta's Permanent Mission to the UN at 244 East 48th Street. North American Representative Michelle Buttigieg said the physical space will allow MTA to expand support for travel industry partners and host Maltese-themed events.
The PBS special "Hidden Malta" by travel journalist Peter Greenberg aired its US premiere on September 18. It highlights Gozo's salt pans, Luzzu fishing boats, tile-making traditions, and the game of Brilli. The show will air on PBS this fall and later on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and YouTube.
Greenberg said he has been travelling to Malta for nearly 30 years and is thrilled to share its hidden treasures. Borg said the special helps Malta take its rightful place on the global tourism stage.
For Malta's tourism sector, the combination of direct flights, a dedicated office, and high-profile media exposure signals a strategic shift. The US is a high-spend market, and improved access could change the visitor mix for hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
Micallef said travellers today seek authenticity, and the Greenberg platform presents experiences beyond the guidebooks. The MTA is betting that visibility and connectivity will convert interest into bookings.
The developments come as Malta competes for a share of the growing US outbound travel market. With Delta's summer 2026 start date, the industry has time to prepare for a new wave of American visitors.